Private information retrieval is a cryptographic scheme that allows a client to secretly query a database. We show that information-theoretic single-server
quantum private information retrieval requires a linear amount of communication to be secure against specious adversaries, which are the quantum analog of honest-but-curious adversaries. We also
stress the importance of adequate comparison between classical and quantum adversaries---unfair comparisons might lead to an unjustified advantage for the quantum case.

JIANXIN CHEN, University of Guelphsymmetric extension of two-qubit states [PDF]

Quantum key distribution uses public discussion protocols to establish shared secret keys. In the exploration of ultimate limits to such protocols, the property of symmetric extendibility of underlying bipartite states $\rho_{AB}$ plays an important role. A bipartite state $\rho_{AB}$ is symmetric extendible if there exits a tripartite state $\rho_{ABB'}$, such that the $AB$ marginal state is identical to the $AB'$ marginal state, i.e. $\rho_{AB'}=\rho_{AB}$. For a symmetric extendible state $\rho_{AB}$, the first task of the public discussion protocol is to break this symmetric extendibility. Therefore to characterize all bi-partite quantum states that possess symmetric extensions is of vital importance. We prove a simple analytical formula that a two-qubit state $\rho_{AB}$ admits a symmetric extension if and only if $tr(\rho_B^2)\geq tr(\rho_{AB}^2)-4\sqrt{\det{\rho_{AB}}}$. Given the intimate relationship between the symmetric extension problem and the quantum marginal problem, our result also provides the first analytical necessary and sufficient condition for the quantum marginal problem with overlapping marginals.

We are interested in the behavior of typical quantum channels with large input space and small output space. We show that the output set of these quantum channels is almost deterministic, and that it can be described through free probability techniques. We compute the minimum output entropy of these typical quantum channels, and as an application, we obtain new bounds for the violation of the minimum output entropy. This is a report on joint works with S. Belinschi and I. Nechita.

The recent representation theory surrounding locally compact groups has initiated several new connections between harmonic analysis and quantum information. In this talk, we will use this theory to generate two ``dual'' classes of quantum channels for every locally compact group. Focusing mainly on finite groups we will explore their properties from the point of view of quantum information such as noiseless subsystems, quantum capacities and entanglement preservation. Time permitting, we will present further manifestations of this duality, in particular its connection to the complementarity of private and correctable subsystems. This is joint work with Matthias Neufang.

Surface codes, introduced by Kitaev, are quantum error-correcting codes defined from a tiling of surface. First, we recall how the parameters of the surface code are related with the properties of the tiling of surface. Then, we observe the similarities between quantum erasures and percolation theory. Using these similarities, we derive an upper bound on the percolation threshold of a family of hyperbolic lattices from results of quantum information theory. This talk is based on joint work in progress with Gilles Zémor.

A matrix system $\mathcal S$ is a $*$-vector space of complex $n\times n$ matrices that contains the identity matrix. By a theorem of Choi and Effros, the dual space $\mathcal S^d$ of a matrix system $\mathcal S$ has the structure of an operator system. In this lecture I will report on joint work with A. Kavruk, V. Paulsen, and I.G. Todorov whereby Tsirelson's problem on quantum correlations is cast in terms of states on certain tensor products of dual matrix operator systems.

The evaluation of many important quantities in quantum information theory involves finding the solution to a convex optimization problem, usually in the form of minimizing a convex function over a convex subset of hermitian matrices. For example, determination of the relative entropy of entanglement (REE) for an arbitrary quantum state $\rho$ amounts to minimizing the relative entropy of $\rho$ with respect to the convex set of separable states. While finding closed fomulae solutions to such convex optimization problems is usually impossible, solving the converse problem is often instructive and enlightening in regard to the original problem. That is, given a family of convex functions and a state $\sigma$ on the boundary of a subset of hermitian matrices, we can find all functions whose minimum value is achieved at $\sigma$. In particular, this allows us to determine explicit expressions for the REE and its variants, such as the Rains bound. This approach also elucidates interesting facts about these quantities, such as, among others, that the Rains bound reduces to the REE when at least one subsystem is a qubit.

GILAD GOUR, University of CalgaryTowards a complete classification of multipartite entanglement [PDF]

Multi-particle entanglement is an essential resource for a variety of quantum information processing tasks.
Yet, despite an enormous amount of literature dedicated to its study, our current understanding of it is still in its infancy. In this talk I will introduce a systematic classification of multiparticle entanglement in terms of equivalence classes of states under stochastic local operations and classical communication (SLOCC). I will show that such an SLOCC equivalency class of states is characterized by ratios of homogenous polynomials that are invariant under local action of the special linear group. I will then introduce a complete construction of the set of all such SL-invariant polynomials (SLIPs). The construction is based on Schur-Weyl duality and applies to any number of qudits in all (finite) dimensions. In addition, I will introduce an elegant formula for the dimension of the homogenous SLIPs space of a fixed degree as a function of the number of qudits. The expressions for the SLIPs involve in general many terms, but for the case of qubits can be written in a much simpler form.

NATHANIEL JOHNSTON, Institute for Quantum Computing, University of WaterlooSeparability from Spectrum for Qubit-Qudit States [PDF]

The separability from spectrum problem asks for a characterization of the eigenvalues of the bipartite mixed states $\rho$ with the property that $U^*{\rho}U$ is separable for all unitary matrices $U$. This problem has been solved when the local dimensions $m$ and $n$ satisfy $m = 2$ and $n \leq 3$. We solve all remaining qubit-qudit cases (i.e., when $m = 2$ and $n \geq 4$ is arbitrary). In all of these cases we show that a state is separable from spectrum if and only if $U^*{\rho}U$ has positive partial transpose for all unitary matrices $U$. This equivalence is in stark contrast with the usual separability problem, where a state having positive partial transpose is a strictly weaker property than it being separable.

A square matrix with non-negative entries, all of whose rows and columns sum to $1$ is called a doubly stochastic matrix. The set of such matrices of size $n \times n$ is denoted $\Omega_n$. Doubly stochastic matrices are closely tied to majorization, a partial order on vectors in $\mathbb{R}^n$, a connection made explicit by the Hardy-Littlewood-Polya theorem. Majorization plays an important role in quantum information, where it can be used to compare entanglement of two quantum states.
In 1965, Perfect and Mirsky conjectured that the region of all possible eigenvalues of all $n \times n$ doubly stochastic matrices (denoted $\omega_n$) would be the union of the regions $\Pi_k$ for $k \in \{ 1,2,\cdots ,n\}$, where $\Pi_k$ is the convex hull of the $k^{th}$ roots of unity. They proved the conjecture for $n=1,2,3$. In 2007, Rivard and Mashreghi exhibited a counterexample for $n=5$.
We prove the Perfect-Mirsky conjecture for $n=4$, and provide a new conjecture for which Rivard and Mashreghi's example is not a counterexample. We also discuss some geometric interpretations of the problem of characterizing $\omega_n$.

CHI-KWONG LI, College of William and MaryDecomposition of unitary gates [PDF]

In quantum information science, quantum gates acting on vector states
are unitary transformations. It is desirable from the theoretical
as well as practical point of view to decompose a general unitary
transformation into simple ones that are easy to control and implement.
In this talk, we will describe some current research on this topic.

We consider a sequence of probes, sent to interact one by one with a
fixed scatterer. Before interaction, the probes are independent, but they
become entangled via the contact with the scatterer. After a probe finishes
interacting with the scatterer, a quantum measurement is performed on the
probe. The measurement history, i.e., the collection of measurement
outcomes, is a stochastic process. We analyze the convergence and
fluctuation properties of this process by linking its asymptotic evolution to
spectral characteristics of the dynamics.

VARUN NARASIMHACHAR, University of CalgaryMajorization theory and thermodynamics [PDF]

Majorization is a concept that emerges from the properties of stochastic matrices. The theory of majorization has been identified as an important tool in quantum information since its application to the theory of entanglement by Nielsen. Later works have identified other areas of quantum information where it plays a role, including thermodynamics. In this talk, we describe the connection between majorization theory and thermodynamics, with a summary of our recent results in this area. These include necessary and sufficient conditions for transitions between thermodynamic states of quantum systems, under various conditions (with or without catalysts, costing or yielding work, small or large systems). Notably, our results imply the insufficiency of the traditional formulation of the Second Law to decide the feasibility of state transitions.

In this work, we introduce the EPOSIC channels, a class of SU(2)-irreducibly
covariant quantum channels. We show that if H and K are SU(2)-irreducible spaces
then the EPOSIC channels from End(H) into End(K) are the extreme points of the
convex set of all SU(2)-irreducibly covariant channels from End(H) into End(K).
We get a set of Kraus operators, the Choi matrix, a complementary channel, and
the dual map of EPOSIC channel. As an application of the EPOSIC channels, we
get a new example of a positive map that is not completely positive. We obtain a
bound for the minimal output entropy of the tensor product of two SU(2)-irreducibly
covariant channels. We also examine the E.B.T property of EPOSIC channels.

Majorization and trumping are two partial orders that have proved useful in
entanglement theory. We show some relations between these two partial orders and
generalized Dirichlet polynomials, Mellin transforms, and completely monotone functions.
These relations are used to prove a succinct generalization of Turgut's characterization of
Trumping. This is joint work with R. Pereira.

One of the fundamental problems quantum information scientists concerned with, is whether one can design and construct a quantum device that transforms certain quantum states into other quantum states. This task is physically possible if a specified quantum operation (transformation) of certain prescribed sets of input and output states can be found. The problem then becomes to determine an existence condition of a trace preserving completely positive map sending $\rho_j$ to $\sigma_j$ for all $j$, for certain given sets of quantum states $\{\rho_1,\dots,\rho_k\}$ and $\{\sigma_1,\dots,\sigma_k\}$. This is called the problem of state transformation. In this talk, recent results on this problem will be presented.